Foot protector



W. M. SCHOLL FOOT PROTECTOR July 9, 1957 Filed March 31, 1955' 15725 17.0.? MMW M80901! EZZXAC-ri'iiilliiliefi FOOT PROTECTOR William'M. Scholl,Chicago, Ill. Application March 31, 1955, Serial No. 498,233

1 Claim. (Cl. 36-10) This invention relates to improvements in afootprotector, and more particularly to a foot protector of theslipper-type,.althougl1 the invention may have other uses and purposesas will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various deviceshave beenmade to lend protection,to the humanfootto eliminate the adverse effects of rubbing of the footrelatively to the shoe or vice versa,.particularly against the sides,bottom, and heel of the foot. These formerly known devices, however,were frequently attached to the shoe or other article of footwear, or ifattached to the human foot, could only be worn within an article offootwear. Frequently, it required more than one device to eliminate thechafing action of rubbing with some particular article of footwear dueto the different locations of the freedom of movement of the footrelatively to the shoe. In addition, it may be mentioned that formerlyknown devices of this character had only the one function and could onlybe used for the single purpose.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instantinvention to provide a slipper type foot protector which may be wornwithin a shoe or other article of footwear, or utilized outside anarticle of footwear as a house slipper.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of a footprotector in the form of a light weight and thin slipper-type coveringfor the foot, the device being capable of fitting comfortably within ashoe or other article of footwear, and the same device will affordprotection to the skin or hosiery of the user when worn as a houseslipper without the article of footwear.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of aslipper-type foot protector comprising a sole portion of resilientcushioning material, and an upper of knit stretchable fabric or thelike, which is stocking-like in character.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of aslipper-type foot protector comprising a cushioning sole portion, arelatively thin fabric upper, and a heel guard or protector secured tothe fabric upper around the heel portion thereof.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision of aslipper-type foot protector comprising a sole portion of cushioningmaterial, and a thin fabric upper, with one or both faces of the soleportion covered with a slick smooth surfaced substance to eliminate anydrag on the foot of the user or against the interior of a shoe.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a slippertype footprotector comprising a sole portion of foam latex, with a thin fabricrelatively low cut upper stitched to the sole portion.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantagesof the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will becomeapparent from the fol lowing disclosures, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of a human nited States Patent M 2,798,311 Patented July 9, 1957foot encased in a slipper-type foot protector embodying principles ofthe instant invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the protector alone;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view through theprotector taken substantially as indicated by the line III-III of Fig.1, looking inthe direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a protector,illustrating a slightly different form of construction;

As shownon the drawings:

In order to acquire an accurate fit, and render the device morecomfortable to the user especially when Worn within an article offootwear, the patterns for the device are cut for right and left feet.The structure illustrated is a protector for a right foot, and it willbe understood that the protector for the left foot is'of the samegeneral construction, but the pattern, particularly that for the soleportion, is shaped in accordance with the left foot.

- The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a sole portion1, best seen in Fig. 3, which is Preferably of foam latex of cellularconstruction having intercommunicating cells. This material is verylight in weight, comfortable to the foot, and by virtue of the cellsintercommunicating provides some ventilation due to the repeatedapplications and releases of foot pressure against the device duringwalking. In the showing of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the sole portion is coveredover its outer face with a slick smooth non-skid covering 2, such as asilky finished fabric or the like. This eliminates any drag of thedevice against the insole of a shoe and renders it easy to slip on ashoe over the device.

A relatively low cut upper, generally indicated by numeral 3, isattached to the sole portion in any suitable manner, such as bystitching 4. This upper 3 is preferably a one-piece construction and ispreferably made of a soft elastic knit fabric, which is somewhatstockinglike in character and particularly in feel. This upper ispreferably made of twisted stretchable yarn so that it may fit feet ofdifferent sizes within a reasonable range, the inherent contractualpowers of the fabric providing an intimate and comfortable feel. Theupper includes a portion 5 covering the toes of the user, a heelembracing part 6, with relatively low out side walls 77 connecting thetoe and heel portions. Where the upper is of elastic knit fabric, it maybe easily stretched over the foot, and by virtue of its inherentcontracting powers affords an easy comfortable and yet reasonably closefit.

Any suitable form of trim or margin as indicated at 8 may be utilized,and in the illustrated instance this is accomplished merely by foldingover a portion of the fabric. Inside the fold a thin strip 9 of rubberor equivalent elastic material is inserted to hold the device morefirmly on the foot of a user.

It is preferable in the heel portion of the upper to insert a heelprotector or guard as indicated at 10. This is preferably made ofthicker material than the upper, and relatively stiffer material,although it should, of course, be flexible. Preferably, the heel guard10 is secured to the upper only along the top edge of the guard, and ineffect the guard depends from the upper and extends to a point justabove the sole portion. The heel guard may be provided with numerousperforations as indicated at 11 for ventilative purposes, if so desired.The heel guard may be turned forwardly when the device is turned insideout for such purposes as laundering, since the device may be cleansedwhenever deemed necessary.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a slightly different form of construction,in that the inside face of the sole portion or cushioning member 1 isalso covered with a slick nonskid covering 12 such as a silky finishfabric like the cove:

2 over the outer face of this cushioning member. Obviously, either faceof the cushioning member may be provided with such a cover, or bothfaces as seen in Fig. 4.

From the foregoing, it' will be noted that I have pro vided a simplefoot protector of the slipper type. The device is easily slipped on thefoot, atfordsa comfortable cushioning relief to the bottom of the foot,provides adequate ventilation, and may readily be worn inside an articleof footwear without discomfort to the user Of course, the device may beworn over the naked foot or over a foot encased in hosiery. When thedevice is in position on the foot, even when worn with a loose fittingarticle of footwear, no adverse eflfects from rubbing at any locationwill result. Chafing or blistering of the heel is also effectivelyprevented by the additional heel guard 10. 'At the same time, thecushioning effect of the foam latex sole portion gives the-same benefits'asa cushion type insole disposed in the article of footwear. Further,the device may be laundered whenever deemed necessary, is very durable,and highly economical.

When the user is in the house or home and removes his shoes or the like,the device may be utilized temporarily as a house slipper affordingadequate covering for the foot, and providing a cushioning element towalk upon.

It will be understood that modifications and variations 4 may beeffected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of thepresent invention.

I claim as my invention:

A slipper style foot protector to be worn both in and without a shoe orthe like, comprising a sole of foam latex having intercommunicatingcells and which is contoured in keeping with the outline of the plantarsurface of the human foot, a covering of smooth slick fabric over theouter face of said sole, an upper of elastic fabric secured to said soleand having an inwardly turned top margin, a thin strip of elasticmaterial in said turned margin, and an added heel guard of stifiermaterial depending from said turned margin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

